anadog   Man's Best...Dinner?! adog5

By Lindsey Goss, Matthew Cahill, Melissa Svetich, and Kris Harris

retriver      Dog meat has been considered a delicacy to many Koreans for centuries.  Some believe it enhances health.  Around three million dogs are slaughtered for their meat each year.  Dog meat is mostly used in soups and barbecues.
     The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry fears that authorizing sales of dog meat would give South Korea a bad image.  It is feared that animal rights groups might protest and boycott South Korean goods.  Therefore, the South Korean government will not allow the sale of dog meat before the 2002 World Cup soccer finals that it is co-hosting with Japan.
     During the 1988 Summer Olympics, the government banned the sale of dog meat and other foods that were unsightly.  After the 
Olympics, though, the ban was not well enforced, and many restaurants moved to alleys to continue serving dog meat.  Dog meat dealers butchered dogs in secret, unclean places, increasing the risk of disease.
     Our research group agrees that the sale of dog meat is “disgusting!” “stupid and nasty,” “terrible,” and “inhumane!”  Goss’s opinion is, “They should not kill dogs for their meat.  It is just downright disgusting and gross.  If I were a dog, I wouldn’t like it if someone fattened me up to kill me.  Korea should grow food or raise animals to hatch eggs and kill them.  I don’t like people to kill animals that can be pets.  I’d hate it if they ate cat meat for (my cat) Kitka’s sake.”
     “My opinion about the killing of dogs for meat,” said Svetich, “is that they should NOT kill dogs because if the meat is not cleaned right, you could get bacteria (from it).  I have a dog named Sissy and she is very special to me because her mom, Bow Jingles, was born on my birthday.  Sissy is also special because Bow Jingles ran away from home when I was in first grade.”
     “I think,” said Harris, “killing dogs is terrible because I love dogs and can’t kill one ever.  I have my own dog named Heidie, and she is very special because she’s never mean.”
     “I feel,” said Cahill, “that the killing of dogs is inhumane.  I believe that dogs should be pets or should be used to help people.  Dogs can be very useful to humans: they can search for missing people, drugs, etc.; they can help a blind person find his or her way; or they can comfort someone who is feeling down.  Dogs have many better uses than for being eaten by people.”

doggie

Associated Press
ABCNEWS.com

Back to Headline News Homepage